05-28 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Work Session
May 28, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:15 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Mary Supple; and Ben
Present: Whalen.
Council Members Simon Trautmann.
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Amy Markle, Recreation Services Director;
Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Rachel Lindholm, Richfield GreenCorps
Member; and Jared Voto, Assistant to the City Manager.
Others: Andrew Lutaya, MnDOT; Amber Blanchard, MnDOT; Sue Rosenberg, Chair,
Richfield Organics Task Force.
Item #1 I-494 ALTERNATIVES EVALUATION PROCESS AND SCREENING
Mr. Lutaya and Ms. Blanchard presented on the goals of the member cities, the project
timeline, and went into detail of the alternative evaluation process. MnDOT is currently in Phase 1, the
initial “fatal flaw” screening analysis. Phase 1 entailed looking three areas: mainline alternatives,
access reconfiguration, and I-35W/I-494 Interchange alternatives. Based on these areas, they
presented the recommended alternatives being carried forward and MnDOT’s public engagement as it
related to I-35W/I-494 Interchange alternatives and the access reconfiguration.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about the general purpose lane alternative that was being
moved forward.
Ms. Blanchard responded the MnPASS and HOV alternatives ended up being very similar with
MnPass ahead. MnDOT needs as many reasonable alternatives and the general purpose lane acts
similar to the MnPass lane in terms of throughput of vehicles.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reinforced the importance of the 77th Street Underpass as a part of
this regional project and is important for Richfield and asked about the timeline of the economic
impact.
Council Member Supple asked if MnDOT would be at the work session on the economic
impact.
Director Asher responded they are on the team working on the economic impact study and
they will be invited to the work session.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2- May 28, 2019
Council Member Whalen commented that the stormwater question is still outstanding and
inquired when it would be resolved.
Ms. Blanchard responded they are looking at it currently and their consultant is on their fourth
option. She stated they hope to have a solution by July and bring options to the Council.
Council Member Supple asked about the five options included with the full access at Portland
Avenue and what factors (economic, stormwater, footprint) are going into that decision.
Mr. Lutaya responded that the options they are looking at currently are the footprint of the
options and they intend to merge those data points with the economic impact study to find an option
that moves traffic best, bike and pedestrian friendly, and least impactful to right-of-way.
Director Asher commented that the access reconfiguration should be Lyndale to 24th, not
Lyndale to 12th.
Council Member Whalen asked about the order of the 77th Street Underpass and the access
reconfiguration.
Director Asher responded the schedule for the underpass is 2021 and the earliest work on 494
would begin is 2022-2023.
Ms. Blanchard stated they understand the importance of the 77th Street Underpass and how
local traffic will move during construction and agrees that it needs to come first.
Item #2 RICHFIELD ORGANICS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
Director Markle, Richfield GreenCorps Member Lindholm, and Richfield Organics Task Force
Chair Rosenberg presented on the recycling goal of Hennepin County, the annual recycling rates of
Hennepin County that places Richfield 39th out of 42 for pounds per household, and the MPCA’s
estimate of waste generation forecast through 2030. They discussed that over 700 households
registered for organics drop-off and shared comments from residents who registered for the program.
They also shared results of a survey that was done to evaluate the program, which received many
positive responses, and discussed community outreach at different community events. They shared
the pros and cons of two options for next steps: amending the current ordinance to require haulers to
offer organics or organizing recycling and organics through a single hauler. Lastly, they presented four
recommendations of the Task Force and staff recommendations, which included support of the Task
Force’s recommendations.
Council Member Supple asked if organized hauling for organics was implemented if it would
change how recycling is collected, from its current state of multiple haulers.
Director Markle responded that the City would issue a request for proposals (RFP) and
determine the allocation of recycling that it could be multiple haulers split up in the city or one hauler
for the entire city.
Council Member Garcia asked about Bloomington’s sustainability commission and if it was
stand-alone or part of another commission.
Director Markle responded that she thought it was a stand-alone commission.
Council Member Whalen asked if multi-family buildings would be exempt from organized
recycling and organics, and have to contract their own services.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -3- May 28,2019
Richfield GreenCorps Member Lindholm responded that buildings with greater than four units
are exempt, but could opt-in to be part of the program and that she has been contacted by some
buildings about doing this and requesting help.
Mayor and Council Members thanked the Richfield Organics Task Force for all the work they
put into this research and brining these recommendations to the Council.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented she hoped to make the Sustainability Commission a
reality and that it would be a great thing for the city. She asked about how the city would make a
decision of organizing with one hauler for recycling versus multiple haulers.
Richfield GreenCorps Member Lindholm responded it would be determined during the RFP
process.
City Manager Rodriguez added the city would engage with the haulers for information
gathering and move forward based on that research on an RFP process.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez indicated her preference for doing the organized recycling and
organics together and discussed the need for clear communication with residents.
Council Member Whalen commented that organized recycling and organics is a step in the
right direction and was interested in having the discussion about organizing trash hauling as well and
asked about the costs presented as they relate to mandatory versus subscription-based.
Richfield GreenCorps Member Lindholm responded with some of the costs for neighboring
cities and that it is unique for each city.
Mayor and Council Members discussed the recommendation for graduated steps toward
organizing and for clarification on the recommendations would be brought to the June 11 meeting.
Director Markle responded staff would like to see a vote about the ordinance only or organized
recycling and organics. Additionally, since the department is in the budget process for 2020, is the
Council interested in funding a Sustainability Coordinator position.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:41 p.m.
Date Approved: June 11, 2019
Maria Regan Con lez
Mayor
Ja ed Vot Katie Rodriguez
Assistant to the City Manager City Manager